5 Top Russell 3000 Stocks to Buy in 2013

These triple-digit winners from 2012 could do it again

AMN Healthcare

2012 Return: +160.7%Russell 3000 Rank: 33

If you run an acute-care hospital, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of this company.

AMN Healthcare (NYSE:AHS) provides staffing solutions and recruitment services for medical facilities across the country. Headquartered in San Diego with an office in Irving, Texas, the company began life in 1985 as American Mobile Nurses. After several acquisitions, however, it needed a more generic name that didn’t focus on one segment of its operations. Hence, AMN Healthcare was born.

CEO Susan Salka has been with the company for 22 years, the last seven at the helm. During her tenure, AMN Healthcare has become the largest healthcare staffing company in the U.S. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there will be a physician shortage of 130,000 by the year 2025; the American Association of Colleges of Nursing projects registered nurse shortage of 260,000 at the same point in time.

The long-term macro growth drivers play right into AHS’ strengths as a company. Simply put: It manages work force challenges more effectively than administrators can, and that keeps it moving forward on a profitable basis.

AMN Healthcare, which is headed to more than $1 billion in revenue in 2013, is my demographic pick for sure.